Las Cruces, N.M. - The Aggies are set to host the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in a four-game series this Friday, Feb. 16- Monday, Feb. 19, at Presley Askew Field. The season opener marks several firsts in NM State baseball history.
Angier Era
With the start of the 2024 season the Aggies will be led by new skipper Jake Angier. Angier started his coaching career with the Jackrabbits back in 2009 where he served as a Graduate Assistant. After spending two seasons with South Dakota State, Angier moved onto North Dakota State for three seasons.
After North Dakota State Angier was at Sacramento State for six seasons where he operated as the recruiting coordinator for three seasons, pitching coach for two seasons and association head coach in his last season with the Hornets.
From there Angier went to the University of Oregon to serve as the pitching coach for three seasons leading the Ducks to just their second Super-Regional appearance in program history.
Conference USA
The Aggies 2024 season marks its first season after joining the Conference USA on July 1, 2023. NM State will now have conference foes such as DBU, Liberty, Louisiana Tech, Sam Houston, Western Kentucky, Middles Tennessee, Jacksonville State and FIU.
NM State joins a competitive conference that has 79 total NCAA Regional Appearances. Middle Tennessee leads the conference having been to 14. Not far behind them is DBU and Sam Houston who both have 12 appearances.
SDSU Ties
As mentioned above Angier started his coaching career with South Dakota State. In his playing days Angier was a right-handed pitcher for the Jackrabbits and earned both his bachelor's degree in sociology and master's degree in sports pedagogy.
Scouting South Dakota State
South Dakota State's 2023 campaign ended with a losing record of 24-28. The Jackrabbits played significantly better at home with a record of 10-1. On the road, however, they had a record of 13-22.
As a team the Jackrabbits batted .282, with a .505 slugging percentage and a .390 on-base percentage. On the mound the Jackrabbits had an ERA of 6.39.
UP NEXT:
The Aggies will head to Lake Charles, La. To face McNeese in a four-game series starting Friday, Feb. 23 and ending on Monday, Feb. 26.
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